hug me + cute little cactus craft

hug_me_coverHug Me by Simona Ciraolo.

 

This picture book follows the most adorable cactus named Felipe. It had me at cactus named Felipe! Also, those rosy cheeks!

HugMe_006

 

Felipe wants something, as the title tells us. A hug. But his family isn’t huggy. You know the kind. Poor, Felipe!

 

 

HugMe_003

Felipe has to look outside his circle of succulents for a hug. Only that doesn’t work out too great either.

HugMe_007

 

HugMe_008

One of the things I like about this picture book—aside from its adorableness!—is that it’s honest. Felipe doesn’t fit in his family. And his family doesn’t change. Instead, he needs to find his own kindred spirit, which is sometimes the truth. So I want to give Simona Ciraolo and Flying Eye Books a great big hug for that!

HugMe_011

Eventually, Felipe finds someone else who’s in need of a hug too! And that someone else won’t be bothered by Felipe’s spiny physique! I guarantee the last page of this spread will make you want to give your friend, your child, your partner, or your pet a heartfelt squeeze immediately.

HugMe_012

 

Hug Me is a book about being yourself, getting your needs met, and finding a kindred soul. All in a super cute package. Well done!

 

Thanks to Flying Eye Books for images!

+

 

Felipe the cactus is oh so cute, I had to craft a cactus character to hug in real life!

And this one’s not prickly at all! A felt Felipe also serves another purpose. That little cactus is a reminder to hug someone you love and not worry about the cacti who are too prickly to give you a fair shake.

hug_me_simona_ciraolo

 

hug_me

feltcactus_DIY

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut a square piece of felt into a rectangle. (Mine was about 6 x 9.5″)

2. Draw Felipe’s face on the middle lower portion of the rectangle. (I used a fabric marker but I’m pretty sure a Sharpie would work.)

3. Trace two small circles on the tissue paper and cut them out. (I traced the marker cap for sizing.)

4. Cut out a small square of tissue paper and wad it on one end so it resembles a flower.

5. Glue the circles onto the cactus’s cheeks and the flower onto its head.

Make_a_cactus

6. Cut a piece of thick twine and coil it. Then tie a knot around one part of the coil. (There’s a lot of finesse in this craft rather than it being precise. Play around!)

7. Finally, fold and tuck the felt into a cactusy-paddle shape and insert the bottom into the twine. Voila! (I realized afterward that you could stuff the cactus shape with tissue paper if you desire.)

 

cactus_craft

 

hug_me_picture_book

 

 

 

hug_me_cactus

 

cute__cactus_diy

hugmecraft

What a cutie-pie cactus who deserves a mini-hug!

 

 

11 Responses to hug me + cute little cactus craft

  1. You had me at “Felipe has to look outside his circle of succulents for a hug.” What a cool & different take on this topic.

  2. What a brilliant premise! I love all of the cactus/succulent expressions. And that cute little felt cactus put me over the top. 😀 Oh, and I like that the family doesn’t change, either. So in tune with reality.

  3. Bonnie Eng says:

    Aww Felipe! I want to give you a hug!! This is such an adorable book Danielle–you always find the cutest, most inspiring reads. 😉

  4. Jes says:

    Adorable! The book and the craft. I’ll have to check it out!

  5. I have this on my TBR already and can’t wait to read it!

    Rosemond
    http://www.bighairandbooks.blogspot.com

  6. Pingback: my six favorite picture books of 2014 - This Picture Book Life

  7. Pingback: a picture book for every emotion (okay, 30 of them) - This Picture Book Life

  8. Pingback: Whatever Happened To My Sister? – Design Of The Picture Book

Talk to me!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.